Out & About: Canaan Post to Host Flag Retirement

Parachutist carries the American flag while dropping into Falcon Stadium before the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force hosted Stony Brook. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Canaan — Every year, American Legion Post 55 in Canaan holds a flag retirement ceremony, and every year more flags are brought to be burned in a respectful manner.

“I think most people, it gets ragged and they just throw it in the trash can,” said Lyle Frizzell, commander of the post. “Part of respecting your country’s flag is knowing how to dispose of it respectfully.”

The ceremony — held this year from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sept. 16 — is a reminder to people of the proper way to retire an old flag. Last year, there were about 100 disposed of in a granite monument outside the post that has a designated space to burn the flags. The process takes about an hour and is started with a prayer given by the legion’s chaplain.

“They can be any material,” Frizzel said, or any size, from the small ones that are given out at parades. The ceremony is not limited to American flags. The post will also accept state flags and flags from other countries. You do not need to be a Canaan or New Hampshire resident to bring flags to the ceremony.

They can be dropped off at the legion or given to a legion member prior to the event.

Flags that have become ripped or faded should be retired.

“A lot of them are in pretty tough shape,” Frizzel said about the flags that people drop off. New flags can also be purchased at the ceremony.

Editor’s note: For more information, contact Frizzel at lylefrizzell1@gmail.com or 603-372-2537. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.